Ringside Boxing Report: Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez III

© Tom Casino / Showtime Boxing

In the third and possibly final bout of their now legendary rivalry, Israel Vazquez, 43-4 (32), held on to the WBC Super Bantamweight title through a grueling twelve round split decision over Rafael Marquez, 37-5 (33). The back and fourth action saw the greatest bout of the trilogy and provided just enough controversy to consider a fourth fight down the road.

The fight was held in front of a capacity crowd at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, the venue being a return to where the rivalry began but this time, there were over 8000 in attendance, including an A-list of celebrities the likes of which are normally seen only at Las Vegas fights.

The boxers started the fight at a cautious distance as Marquez utilized his boxing abilities to keep Vazquez at bay. Although Vazquez was able to land his share of hard shots, including a right hand that seemed to buzz Marquez in the first, the jab of Marquez was the neutralizer throughout the first three rounds.

Marquez scored the first knockdown of the night as he landed a flurry of punches in round four that sent Vazquez reeling to the canvass. The champion was able to pull himself off the deck and the knockdown appeared to wake him up. Vazquez came back strong and in the fifth, started landing stiff right hands that began to close the left eye of Marquez.

Marquez came back with a rally of his own halfway through round seven and began to land accurately and consistently. However, Vazquez continued to apply pressure that never let up.

Marquez was deducted a point in the 10th round for a low blow. Although the call by the referee was wildly unpopular by the crowd, Marquez was warned several times throughout the bout.

The final round of the fight will be talked about for a long time to come. As Marquez attempted to stay upright by clenching and staying away, Vazquez continued his relentless pressure and it eventually paid off. With less than a minute to go in the fight, Vazquez landed a swarm of shots that caused Marquez to stumble back against the ropes, forcing the referee to give a standing eight count, before the two fighters could resume action the bell sounded to end the bout and one of boxingʼs all time greatest trilogies.

After the fight, Vazquez commented on his desire to end the rivalry as it began, “I needed to make a statement at the end and finish strong,” he said.

Marquez, however, felt that he had done enough to get the decision, “I had him hurt several times in the fight,” said the former champion.

An amazing side note to this trilogy that is rarely mentioned is that fact that all three of these great fights occurred within a year of the first occasion. In an age of fighters sometimes taking up to a year off between bouts, these two men let their wounds heal, signed the papers and jumped directly back into the ring.

Every elite fighter needs that one opponent who will pull the greatness out of them and both of these men found that foil. We can only pray that they will meet again at some point down the road.

The official scores were 114-111, 113-112 for Vazquez and 114-111 for Marquez. SaddoBoxing scored the fight 113-112 for Marquez, but along press row, it was tough to find two people with the same score.

Also in action, Jorge Paez Jr., 19-1 (11), the son of former world champion Jorge Paez, had little trouble against Tomas Barragan, 8-3-1 (1). Paez Jr. dropped Barragan once in the first with a great combination. The second round was great action seeing Paez Jr, get the best of the exchanges. Paez Jr. finished Barragan off in the third, sending his opponent to the canvas twice and forcing the stoppage.

Columbian prospect Yhonny Perez, 15-0 (12), remained undefeated by stopping Alejandro Bacerra, 19-6 (9), in the fourth. Perez looked sharp from the opening bell and had Bacerra hurt numerous times. The fight was stopped at :39 seconds into the fourth round.

Local bantamweight prospect Chris Avalos, 2-0 (1), needed just two minutes to hand Constancio Alvarado, 2-1-3 (0), the first loss of his career. Avalos floored Alvarado once in the first minute with a straight right. Alvarado beat the count, but Avalos immediately jumped all over him, dropping him once again and prompting the referee to stop the fight.